I just bought mine from Mark Starr

I just bought my car last week from Mark Starr at Hunting Ridge Motors / Lotus of Greenwich - www.lotusofgreenwhich.com After visiting the only other dealership in my state I feel great about getting my car from them. They are the largest Lotus dealership in the country and passionate about the cars. They made bunch of mods to my car and I am very happy with it so far.

Good luck.

David Wood

 

I thought about getting an Elise from Star in Houston. The production date was 9/05 so it has been sitting for nearly a year. MSRP was $47k...the best the would do was $38.4 out the door (so about $3k off MSRP). We bought used instead.

The 335 is going to be an awesome car, but it is different than the Elise (DUH!). I have seen that it might be underrated from the factory (may be closer to 350 hp), and the 0-60 could be under 5 seconds. Can't imagine what a chip will do to that car!

 

I thought about getting an Elise from Star in Houston. The production date was 9/05 so it has been sitting for nearly a year. MSRP was $47k...the best the would do was $38.4 out the door (so about $3k off MSRP). We bought used instead.

The 335 is going to be an awesome car, but it is different than the Elise (DUH!). I have seen that it might be underrated from the factory (may be closer to 350 hp), and the 0-60 could be under 5 seconds. Can't imagine what a chip will do to that car!

hmmmn...$47K to 38.4K is more than a $3K difference..I was going to say if you got that kind of deal, i wouldn't buy used.

jeff

 

Sorry...typo...$48.4 out the door.

 

The 335 and the Lotus Elise are two totally different cars. I don't know how you can compare it.

 

For what it's worth, I am 36 hours into owning my 2006 Exige and I feel like I've discovered driving TRUTH. I race Formula Mazda open wheel racecars (slicks, downforce, 1100lbs, 170hp) once a month and most guys complain about their 911s, M3s, Ferraris, feeling lame on the drive home from a race weekend. Once you drive a real race car even the most high performance beasts feel sloppy and heavy and blah.

Enter the Exige. This thing makes my Formula Mazda feel lame.

This is the stiffest car in existence. The feedback is visceral. Nothing else can touch it for driving "joy" and since the cost is not insane...you can rail it and wail it without stressing too much about the "what if" money factor.

And I'm only 600 miles into the break in and still babying it.

If you are buying your Elise/BMW as a performance car to rip in, maximize your driving skills, and to experience the raw joys of driving...you'd really miss out if you passed on the the Elise or Exige. If you are buying the car to take kids to the movies, etc...buy the BMW. Still a rad car...just not nearly the OH MY GOD experience of driving a Lotus. ZERO COMPARISON.

If if helps you any...I vascilated between a BMW, Porsche, and STi (test drove them all, hard) and I am so goddamn happy with my Exige that I cannot imagine not owning a Lotus for the rest of my life. It is incredible...brings tears to my eyes (literally).

Step up and experience the REAL ultimate driving vehicle. Buy the Lotus.

BTW -- I got my Lotus at Newport Lotus on Harbor Blvd in Newport Beach, CA and those guys rule. I flew in from the Bay Area (SF area) and they picked my girlfriend and I up at the airport in a Rolls Royce and treated us like rock stars. They I cannot thank them enough for making my first Lotus buy a terrific "old man memory" for my later years!!!!

 

I think you should go with the BMW. The Elise looks cool but it's not comparible to the BMW in a practicality stand point.

Now, if you were comparing a Elise v. other roadster, I could say the Elise may be a better choice but not for the needs you're implying by comparing the Elise to a 3 series.

If you get the Elise, you'll probably sell it within 6 months because it's too impractice - and you'll take a major loose doing so.

 

If your looking for more of a daily driver the Bimmer is the way to go.

If your looking for a weekend, fun car, track car, pure sportscar the Elise/Exige is hands down the choice to make. I am 3 months into owning my '06 Elise and have no regrets. Simply amazing handling and good power for a lightweight engine.

 

The 335 is going to be an awesome car, but it is different than the Elise (DUH!). I have seen that it might be underrated from the factory (may be closer to 350 hp), and the 0-60 could be under 5 seconds. Can't imagine what a chip will do to that car!

It's excellent. I drove one (sports pack coupe) back to back with the E46 M3 and it felt at least as quick, handled nearly as well, rides well, and has a better driving position. The motor sounds great and doesn't feel like at all like a turbo.

 

In the market once again!!! :clap:

Debating if i should get a Lotus Elise or BMW 335i Coupe

Can anyone let me know the pricing / discount on the 2006 Elise?

I read of someone in Berkley getting a deal from the SF dealer for 5k under MSRP. I got mine from Las Vegas about 3k under.

Dr Jose

 

1966 Buick Riviera. You'll love it.

 

Find AN 05 AND GET A 48K car for around 40K!! save 8 k for only a few loss "improvements" so you would lose... drive by wire, wider pedal box, led taillights, daytime running light ... what else? i didn't think these things were worth 8 geand of my money!

 

Go talk to the guys at British Motors in San Francisco (www.bmcd.com) who were basically selling at invoice. Ramin and Vince are extremely helpful.

 

Find AN 05 AND GET A 48K car for around 40K!! save 8 k for only a few loss "improvements" so you would lose... drive by wire, wider pedal box, led taillights, daytime running light ... what else? i didn't think these things were worth 8 geand of my money!

Actually it's Throttle by wire. Having owned both an 05 and 06. Not a huge enough difference as flyguy says, you can save a pile of money. I went ahead and opted for an 06 tho. also the 06 has probax seats (tho I thought the 05 seats were fine). I DO miss the 05 pedals which were gorgeous the 06 pedals look home made.

 

yea i decided to get the BMW 335i, with the ED program i got the car down to 41000 OTD. The 335i got all those cool gadgets, but i really like how the lotus looks. So its either cool gadgets or a nice looking car...

 

yea i decided to get the BMW 335i, with the ED program i got the car down to 41000 OTD. The 335i got all those cool gadgets, but i really like how the lotus looks. So its either cool gadgets or a nice looking car...

That's exactly what my buddy did.
Bought a Lexus IS350 instead of the Elise he was lusting over. :drool:
He said "ooh, cool gadgets, 300HP, power everything, A/Ced seats etc. etc. etc."

Now he's out $$$ and doesn't even like it...

He wants to sell it and buy a Lotus and a cheap truck for practicality.

A $7k lesson... Oh well, there are obviously people who've done exactly the opposite.
I guess it all evens out

 

Yea i cant stop thinking about the Lotus... But all those scary issues i been reading makes me want to get that BMW...

The biggest issue is Water Leaks... Did they fix that problem on the newer models?

 

I have an early '05 with the skinny base top and I have no leaks.

 

Yea i cant stop thinking about the Lotus... But all those scary issues i been reading makes me want to get that BMW...

The biggest issue is Water Leaks... Did they fix that problem on the newer models?

Leaks not really an issue and to be honest, Lotus does not have any real major issues as the car is basically bullet proof. My opinion, for what it's worth, unless you truly are a dedicated enthusiasts of PURE sport cars and unless you can deal with the everyday issues of this car whether it be good or bad, you are far better off with the BMW. C'mon! how can you not like the free maintenance for 4 years/50,000 miles, the practicality, the looks, engine, feel and performance of it? Now, it may not fair well against the Lotus but, are you buying strictly on looks or do you want a great practical sports car feel? If you're buying the car on just looks alone, don't buy the Lotus because sooner or later (my guess sooner) you'll dump the Lotus and be angry about it because all the money you lost. However, if you truly are a "Lotus driver" buy it and enjoy :shift: